Prima Facie

A Novel

By: Suzie Miller

Narrated by: Jodie Comer

"Comer gets to go deeper with the role; this isn’t a replication of her intrepid stage turn, but a continuation of it....It’s a nimble, beautifully modulated performance, and a showcase for Comer’s facility with voices."—The New York Times

This program is read by Jodie Comer (Killing Eve, The Last Duel, The End We Start From) who returns to her Tony- and Olivier Award-winning role in this audiobook edition of Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie. Reprising a stage performance hailed by The Guardian as "infusing breathtaking emotional drama into every word," Comer's masterful narration brings Tessa's story to life in this unforgettable program.

"Comer, who won Olivier (London) and Tony (Broadway) awards for her 100-minute stage performance, returns for an electrifying nine-plus hours of audiobook narration. [She] exhibits extraordinary breadth, revealing the many Tessas throughout: vulnerable teen, stubborn achiever, self-doubter, steely Londoner, powerful prosecutor, bullied witness, [and] exhausted young woman."—Booklist

“Enthralling and sharp-witted...Highly recommended.”—Karin Slaughter, New York Times and #1 international bestselling author

“Bold, fearless...Prima Facie is a deeply rewarding, absolute must read.”—Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of We Begin at the End

This is not life, this is law…

Tessa Ensler loves her job. She’s worked her way up to being a top criminal defense barrister against all the odds, and fights to defend those pleading not guilty. Tessa believes in the law, believes in the system. Her quick-witted cross-examinations and intelligence in the courtroom see her clocking up win after win—including securing freedom for men accused of rape and sexual assault. Innocence until proven guilty is, after all, the bedrock of a civilized society.

But when Tessa is raped by a coworker, she struggles to find the strength to bring him to justice in the face of the barriers and opposition within that same system. Determined to have her day in court, Tessa is forced to confront the stark reality that the law was not written for victims, and that she is the one on trial. She fights on, even as her evidence is manipulated to make her look like a liar, even while she is retraumatized in the stand.

Based on the Olivier and Tony Award-winning play, Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie is an unforgettable story of what happens when a victim is asked to navigate a system that is not set up to accommodate the lived experience of sexual assault survivors.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.

©2022 Suzie Miller (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Enthralling and sharp-witted—Prima Facie takes an unflinching look inside a legal system that is more punishing to the victims of sexual assault than it is to the assailants. A scathing and true look at how the legal system can retraumatize victims. Highly recommended.”—Karin Slaughter, New York Times and #1 international bestselling author

“Heartbreakingly timeless. Written with skill, humor, despair and hope.”—Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of We Begin at the End

"Miller delivers this powerful legal drama based on her 2023 Olivier and Tony award–winning play... [an] engrossing, emotionally honest story addressing contemporary issues around sexual assault, privilege, and social justice."―Booklist

Powerful

Wasn’t sure how this would differ from the play but it was equally powerful yet the added length gives extra depth to the story and character. Narration was absolutely brillant.

Brilliant narration

An absolute stunning contemporary courtroom drama. I listened with bated breath! Riveting, compelling and utterly heart pounding. Will definitely make my best of the year list.

Exceptional!

Jodie Comer is excellent as she is in everything! An acclaimed English Actress who won the Olivier and Tony for the stage production of the same name and author in the West End and Broadway respectively, there was no doubt that I wanted to hear Jodie tell me this story instead of reading it myself. It was fabulous! Not to be missed!

Come for the story, stay for Jodie Comer.

Thrilled to have this extended version. The play changed my life and it’s great to be able to dig more into Tessa’s story and those surrounding her. Truly phenomenal. Apart from the sprinkled bits of humor, it can be intense but they take their readers on a journey and once you see, you cannot unsee it can you?

Not only is it a massively powerful and necessary story by Susie Miller, but Jodie’s performance takes it home.

Superb!

Such a powerful story and Jodie Comer makes Tessa come alive, its as if she were born for the role or that it was written with her in mind. Excellent narration, I hope they give her a Grammy for it. Really looking forward to the stage performance on film!

Simply amazing!

As a 1 in 3 I was afraid this would be a triggering story, and it was. It’s been 24 years but Tessa’s story still hits home and makes me remember. Jodie Comer’s performance was outstanding. She is a treasure.

Incredible

This is an important, timely, essential story. I applaud the author for her treatment of this difficult subject with sensitivity but also bringing attention to a situation too many women have to endure both personally and legally. Excellent writing, very entertaining. This one will stay with me for a long time.

next best performance to seeing it live

Jodie comer's performance is captivating and evocative. I could see the story clearly while only using my ears.

1 in 3

Just let that sink in for a minute. 1 in 3.
Oh how I wish I could have seen Jodie Comer's performance of this on stage. Brilliant!

Jodie Comer: wow

The story is captivating and one that needs to be told. Jodie Comer took it to a next level. I listened to it in one sitting and I’m not ok. What a narration.